New standard amenities consist of heated front seats, a backup camera, and power fold-flat third row seats. Full-time four-wheel-drive and a class-leading 10 airbags are added safety conveniences. Lexus has added a few new options for the new base model GX 460: heated outer second-row seats and a heated steering wheel.
The new SUV has a slightly different engine than the model it's replacing. The new engine has shed one-tenth of a liter in displacement but gained a significant amount of power. Horsepower figures have been upgraded from 263 to 301, while torque has risen by 6 lb-ft to 329. Fuel economy has improved as well, to 15 city and 20 highway, an increase of 1 mile per gallon in the city and 2 on the highway. The 2010 GX 460 leads its class in V-8 fuel economy.
The new Premium trim will command a slightly higher starting price of $57,640, destination included. For the extra coin, buyers gain HID headlamps, auto retracting mirrors, illuminated scuff plates, auto-leveling suspension, and heated steering wheel and second-row seats.
We will get another glimpse of the 2010 GX 460 next week at the 2009 Los Angeles auto show.